The orange still reigns as the “king of fruits” in Florida.
Oranges have been a big part of Florida history since early explorers first planted orange trees in the state near St. Augustine in the 1500’s, according to the Florida Department of Citrus.
To help celebrate the important impact the fruit has on the state, the Big Orange Day Festival — hosted by Sunsational Farms and The Whimsy Market — will return for another year on Feb. 8.
The festival was born eight years ago, created by owners of the Sunsational Farms, 40541 Roger Giles Road, Umatilla. Whimsy Market later partnered with the farm in 2022 to host the first Big Orange Day vendor market, which is now on its fourth celebration.
This year’s festival will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the farm, with over 80 various vendors set to participate in the event selling a variety of unique and local items.
Among the vendors already confirmed are Coco’s Sweet Treats, Sadie’s Gnocchi, and Suz & Randall’s Handmade Finds.
“You’ll find everything from delicious baked goods and handmade crafts to stylish home décor and boutique-style clothing and accessories,” said Nikki Anderson, marketing coordinator for The Whimsy Market. “Whether you’re shopping for one-of-a-kind gifts or treating yourself to something special, there’s something for everyone.”
Along with the many vendors to interact with during the festival, there will be carnival games, bounce houses, face painting, food trucks, and music.
Children will be able to pick a favorite animal to pet at the festival’s exotic petting zoo, too.
With the growing roster of vendors and everything else planned, the event organizers said they strive to cultivate a fun and memorable experience with the free event — which has attracted nearly 4,000 visitors on average through the years.
“This community-focused event not only raises money for local schools but also provides a day of family fun,” Anderson said. “Big Orange Day is also a platform for local artisans, vendors, and small businesses to showcase and sell their products, strengthening our local economy while celebrating Florida’s citrus heritage.”
There is still time to register as a vendor for this and other upcoming events hosted by The Whimsy Market. Applications for vendors can are online at Whimsy-market.com.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
